… and again, more females than males in 2023

The results of the gender determination for 2023 are available: In total considerably more females (11/13) than males (2/13) were captured. This bias in the sex composition was already observed in the previous year as well as in the previous project DIVER.

Whether this recurring observation of skewed sex ratios is representative of the entire population of wintering red-throated divers in the German Bight, or if, for example, females are just easier to catch, remains unclear. We will continue with our gender determination next year and monitor the development!

The information about the sex of the birds will be made available in the bird profile box in the tracking map.  

Photo: Female red-throated diver with external transmitter on the back. Males and females look alike but males are usually slightly larger and heavier than females.